you, and you allow yourself to yield to the force of the current, you must soon be borne downward into a gulf of utter bewilderment, or into the fatal quicksands of a dishonest formality. But take courage. You are where thousands have been before you. Rely upon it, there is firm footing under you. Only keep your eye steadily fixed on Heaven: then tread boldly onward, and each succeeding step shall raise your head higher above the waters which surge around, till you find yourself safe on the side of abiding sunshine, and calm, and confidence,-" quietness and assurance for ever." Christianity is not one of the many indeterminate questions of a restless day. Its truth has been demonstrated for you; what is better still, you may demonstrate it for yourself: for "he that hath received His testimony hath set to his seal that God is true."

(To be concluded.)

METHODISM AND THE ARMY IN THE LAST CENTURY. FROM JOHN WESLEY'S JOURNALS.

THERE are about eighty distinct references to soldiers in John Wesley's Journals; and it may be well now, as increased attention is being paid to the religious welfare of this class of our fellow-subjects, to place some of these before the Methodist public.

In the religious Societies which existed prior to the formation of the united Societies of the people called Methodists, soldiers were to be found. Thus Mr. Wesley writes :

“October 20th, 1738. I met a Society (of soldiers chiefly) at Westminster."

Religious liberty was but little understood in the army or elsewhere in 1740. John Wesley had visited a soldier under sentence of death at Bristol, daily. The man had the love of God shed abroad in his heart. Under date of March 29th, 1740, he says, "Next day I was informed that the commanding-officer had given strict orders, neither Mr. Wesley, nor any of his people, should be admitted; for they were all Atheists. But did that man die like an Atheist? Let my last end be like his !"

February 1st, 1744. "About this time the soldiers abroad began to meet together, as we learned from the following letter." The letter, which is too long for insertion in these notices, speaks of the godly experience of J. H.; (John Haime, afterwards one of John Wesley's preachers;) of his confidence and joy in God at the battle of Dettingen; of the formation of a small Society of twelve members; and of his desire to be directed by Mr. Wesley concerning this good work. J. H. writes again, Journals, November 4th, 1744,-of his preaching in the camp, thirty-five times in seven days; of the increase of the Methodist Society in the army there to two hundred, (subsequently increased to three hundred,) and that the hearers were frequently more than a thousand; of ineffectual opposition;

and of helpers being raised up from among his fellow-soldiers. Of one of these helpers, John Evans, we read, December 3d, 1744: "He continued to preach and live the Gospel till the battle of Fontenoy. One of his companions saw him there, laid across a cannon, both his legs having been taken off by a chain-shot, praising God, and exhorting all that were round about him; which he did till his spirit returned to God."

October 26th, 1745. When the troops sent to oppose the Pretender were encamped at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, John Wesley writes: "Is there no man that careth for these souls? I am ready to do what in me lies, to call these to repentance, once or twice a day, (while I remain in these parts,) at any hour, or at any place. And I desire no pay at all for doing this; unless what my Lord shall give at His appearing.

"If it be objected, (from our heathenish poet,) This conscience will make cowards of us all,' I answer, Let us judge by matter of fact. Let either friends or enemies speak. Did those who feared God behave as cowards at Fontenoy?......I have no interest herein; but I should rejoice to serve, as I am able, my king and country."

Other entries in the Journals show that Mr. Wesley frequently preached to large numbers of soldiers in the camp, during his stay at Newcastle. December 2d, 1745. Under this date, two letters from W. Clements and John Haime are inserted. Clements speaks of his preaching to his comrades; and Haime tells of Clements being killed in action, and of several of the Methodists who were also killed, and adds, "There was such boldness in the battle among this little despised flock, that it made the officers, as well as common soldiers, amazed; and they acknowledge it to this day. I stood the fire of the enemy for above seven hours; then my horse was shot under me, and I was exposed both to the enemy and to our own horse. But that did not discourage me; for I knew the God of Jacob was with me. The hotter it grew the more strength was given me." March 30th, 1748. "I rode to Philip's Town, King's County" (Ireland).

March 31st. "One would have dissuaded me from preaching at five, (A.M.,) being sure none would rise so soon; but I kept my hour, and had a large and serious congregation. After preaching, I spoke severally to those of the Society, of whom forty were troopers."

May 12th, 1749. "Before nine we came to Nenagh. I had no design to preach; but one of the dragoons quartered there would take no denial; so I ordered a chair to be carried out, and went to the market-place. Presently such a congregation was gathered round me as I had not seen since I left Athlone."

May 17th, 1749. "I met the Class of soldiers, eight of whom were Scotch Highlanders. Most of these were brought up well; but evil communications had corrupted good manners. But God had now given them another call, and they knew the day of their visitation."

June 14th, 1749. "About seven I preached at Athlone. It being the time of the general review, abundance of soldiers and many officers were

present. They all behaved with the utmost decency. But a gentleman of the town did not; which had like to have cost him dear. Many swords were drawn ; but the officers interposed, and it went no farther."

May 28th, 1750. "I rode to Kinsale. After sermon came one from Cork, and informed us, Mr. W— had preached, both morning and afternoon, under the wall of the barracks; that the town-drummers came; but the soldiers assured them that if they went to beat there they would be all cut in pieces; that then the Mayor came himself, at the head of his mob, bat could make no considerable disturbance; that he went and talked to the commanding-officer, but with so little success, that the colonel came out and declared to the mob, they must make no riot there. Here is a turn of affairs worthy of God!"

May 30th, 1750. "When we came over the South Bridge, [Cork,] a large mob gathered; but, before they were well formed, we reached the barrack-gate; at a small distance from which I stood and cried, 'Let the wicked forsake his way.' The congregation of serious people was large; the mob stood about a hundred yards off. I was a little surprised to observe that almost all the soldiers kept together in a body.......As we walked away, one or two of them followed us. Their numbers increased, until we had seven or eight before, and a whole troop of them behind; between whom I walked, through an immense mob, to Alderman Pembrock's door."

June 5th, 1750. "I returned to Limerick. In examining the Society here, I could not but take particular notice of about sixty of the Highland regiment of soldiers,-men fit to appear before princes. Their zeal, 'according to knowledge,' has stirred up many; and they still speak for God, and are not ashamed."

July 15th, 1750. "Abundance of soldiers at the service." 19th. "I met the class of soldiers. Nineteen are resolved to 'fight the good fight of faith;' eleven or twelve of whom already rejoice in God through Christ."

May 14th, 1752, Berwick-on-Tweed. "At five the soldiers made a considerable part of the congregation. At noon they came again in troops. One of them, T. W., came last year from the Highlands, and went through Westmoreland to beat up for recruits. He had been earnestly warned, before he left Scotland, on no account to go near the Methodists. But in Kendal he lighted on two or three; from which time they were not one day asunder. It was not long before God clearly assured him of his pardoning love. He is continually exhorting his comrades to be good. soldiers of Jesus Christ;' and many have already listed under his banner."

August 25th, 1752. "I preached in the market-place at Kinsale. The next morning, at eight, I walked to the Fort. On the hill above it we found a large, deep hollow, capable of containing two or three thousand people. On one side of this, the soldiers soon cut a place with their swords for me to stand, where I was screened both from the wind and sun, while the congregation sat on the grass before me.”

April 4th, 1753. "I made an end of examining the Society at Manchester; among whom were seventeen of the dragoons. It is remarkable that these were in the same regiment with John Haime, in Flanders; but they utterly despised both him and his Master, till they removed to Manchester: here it was that one and another dropped in, he scarce knew why, to hear the preaching; and they are now a pattern of seriousness, zeal, and all holy conversation.”

September 17th, 1754. "I rode to Trowbridge, where one who found peace with God while he was a soldier in Flanders, and has been much prospered in business since his discharge, has built a preaching-house at his own expense."

February 24th, 1756, Canterbury. "Abundance of soldiers and many officers came to the preaching. And surely the fear and love of God will prepare them either for death or victory." 25th. "I dined with Colonel who said, 'No men fight like those who fear God: I had rather command five hundred such, than any regiment in His Majesty's army." May 6th, 1756. "I rode to Kilkenny. One of the dragoons quartered there soon found us out. A few, both of the army and of the town, are joined, and constantly meet together. I preached in the barracks, in one of the officers' rooms. Still, in Ireland, the first call is to the soldiery."

May 11th, 1756. Clonmell. "It remained to preach in the street. Both officers and soldiers gave great attention, till a poor man, special drunk, came marching down the street, attended by a Popish mob, with a club in one hand, and a large cleaver in the other, grievously cursing and blaspheming, and swearing he would cut off the preacher's head. It was with difficulty that I restrained the troopers; especially them that were not of the Society." The disturber was taken by the Mayor to gaol.

March 14th, 1757. "I went to Canterbury-much refreshed at the sight of so large a number of soldiers. And is not God able to kindle the same fire in the fleet which He has already begun to kindle in the army?" April 14th and June 6th, 1757. At Leicester and Musselburgh, nearly fifty soldiers in each place at the preaching.

June 11th, 1758. "At Athlone I explained the joy that is in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.' Two or three eggs were thrown, one of which fell on a drummer, which so enraged the dragoons (many of whom were in the congregation) that as soon as I had concluded, they ran all ways to find the man that threw. The spirit they showed did much good, by striking a terror into the rabble."

July 13th, 1758. Kinsale. "Had a large congregation of soldiers, many of whom are good soldiers of Jesus Christ."

September 17th, 1759. "I went to Canterbury. Two hundred soldiers, I suppose, and a whole row of officers attended.-Their number was increased the next evening, and all behaved as men fearing God."

April 13th, 1760. "At three in the afternoon I preached in the Barracksquare [Dublin]. No mob must show their heads here; for the soldiers would give them no quarter." On the 17th. "An offer was made me of

the riding-house. A troop of soldiers were exercising there when I came ; but this was clear gain; for the officers forbade any of them to go away before the sermon was ended.

July 17th, 1760. Limerick. "I preached," three evenings, " in the old camp. I was well pleased to see a little army of soldiers there, and not a few of their officers. Nor did they behave as unconcerned hearers." On August 7th a similar congregation assembled at Kinsale.

January 20th, 1761. Yarmouth. "Last summer God sent here the regiment in which Howell Harris was an officer. He preached every night, none daring to oppose him; and hereby a good seed was sown."

May 30th, &c., 1762. Limerick. "I preached for the sake of the soldiers within musket-shot of the place where they were exercising. But the moment I began they laid down their arms, and joined the rest of the congregation."

July 5th, 1762. "I rode to Clonmell; and preached near the barrackpate, to a wild, staring multitude, many of whom would have been rude Bagh, but they stood in awe of the soldiers."

July 16th, 1766. "In the evening most of the congregation at Milton were of another kind;" (disposed to be riotous ;) "but a whole troop of the Oxford-blues, who stood together, and were deeply serious, kept them in awe: so that all behaved decently, and many of the soldiers were present again in the morning."

February 18th, 1768. Mr. Wesley preached at the barracks at Chatham, in what they called the church; i. e., a large room, when hundreds of soldiers attended.

June 4th, 1768. Barnard-Castle. "In the evening the commanding officer gave orders there should be no exercise, that all the Durham militia Light be at liberty to attend the preaching. Accordingly we had a little army of officers as well as soldiers; and all behaved well."

May 12th, 1773. "I preached at Clare, a little ruinous town; no inn that could afford us either meat, or drink, or comfortable lodging; no Society, and next to no congregation, till the soldiers canie. After preaching, I spent an agreeable hour with the commanding officer; and, having procured a tolerable lodging in the barracks, slept in peace."

July 3d, 1773. Restrictive policy shown. "I sent to the commanding officer, to desire leave to preach in the barracks; but he replied, he would have no innovations. No: whoredom, drunkenness, cursing, and swearing for ever!"

April 16th, 1778. "I preached in the riding-house at Tullamore. The commanding officer ordered all the soldiers to be present, and attended himself, with the rest of the officers, while I explained, ‘Render unto Casar the things that are Casar's,'" &c.

June 20th, 1778. "I travelled to Charlemont, where Captain Tottenham was the commanding officer. We lodged with him in the castle. A tent was set up in the castle-yard, where all the soldiers were drawn up at eleven, with abundance of people, who were all attention."

VOL. XI.- FIFTH SERIES.

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